Brazing process, braze assembly, and brazed article

Abstract

A brazing process, a braze assembly, and a brazed article are disclosed. The brazing process includes applying a braze material to an article within a vacuum chamber while the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated. The braze assembly is capable of applying a braze material to an article within a vacuum chamber while the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated. The brazed article is devoid of re-formed oxides.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A brazing process, comprising:
 providing an article, and a braze assembly including a braze material, wherein the article is a turbine component selected from a group consisting of a blade, a dovetail of a blade, a shroud, a nozzle, a bucket, or combination thereof; 
 positioning the braze assembly and the article, wherein the braze assembly includes a configuration which contacts the article above a treatment region and mechanically suspends the braze assembly; 
 placing the article and the braze assembly within a vacuum chamber; 
 substantially evacuating the vacuum chamber to a predetermined vacuum pressure; 
 heating the article and the braze assembly to a braze application temperature, the braze application temperature being below a braze temperature of the braze material, wherein heating the article and the braze assembly at the predetermined vacuum pressure cleans the article and the braze assembly, removing oxides; and 
 subsequently applying the braze material to the treatment region from the braze assembly at the braze application temperature while the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the article is substantially devoid of re-formed oxides. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the article is devoid of re-formed oxides. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is layered. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is applied by gravity. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is applied by deformation of the braze material. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 6 , wherein the deformation occurs by one or more of softening, melting, vaporizing, subliming, and contracting. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is applied by releasing of the braze material by a braze material securing device. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 8 , wherein the braze material securing device vaporizes. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 8 , wherein the braze material securing device is reusable. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 8 , wherein the braze material securing device includes one or more of wires, mesh, polymers, mechanical devices, and frames. 
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is applied by releasing of the braze material by a braze material securing layer of the braze material. 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 12 , wherein the braze material securing layer deforms to release the braze material. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the braze material is applied by releasing of the braze material by adjustment of the braze assembly. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustment of the braze assembly includes braze assembly features of the braze assembly deforming.